In desperate need of help
The cast of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” forgot about Russian gold diggers and the Fairview Strangler last week to focus on real life.
Dana Delany, who plays Katherine, is a spokeswoman for the Child Hunger Ends Here Neighborhood Rally campaign, sponsored by food company ConAgra and hunger relief organization Feeding America.
She and other cast members held a rally on the show’s set to publicize the effort to eradicate childhood hunger.
“No matter what the ladies go through on (Wisteria) Lane, they always come together at the end to help each other out,” Delany said.
Q. How did you get involved?
A. They came to me. I don’t do anything unless I really research it and find out whether it’s worthy. (So) when I was shooting (a) pilot in Rhode Island recently, I went to a food bank there that Feeding America has and it’s really remarkable.
They told me that last year Feeding America fed 37 million people in America. And they think because of the economy it’s going to be 50 million this year. That’s the scary thing, when parents can’t feed their kids. You hear stories about parents going hungry rather than their kids going hungry.
It’s kind of this silent stalker that people don’t want to talk about because it’s embarrassing.
Q. When you take up a cause, do you ever worry about possibly alienating people? Some entertainers and athletes avoid taking a stand on anything. You seem fine with speaking your mind.
A. I have no problem with speaking my mind. I feel it’s my life and it’s going to be over soon, so I’d better be authentic.
Q. It’s going to be over soon?
A. You never know (laughs).
Q. Explain how people can help.
A. If people go to ChildHungerEndsHere.com, they can see … ways they can get involved. They can get all the information to get a free package of stuff (so they can) host their own rally to raise money.
The birthday bunch
Actress Barbara Hale (“Perry Mason”) is 89. Actress Hayley Mills is 64. Actor James Woods is 63. Actor Rick Moranis is 57. Actor Eric Roberts is 54. Actress Jane Leeves is 49. TV host Conan O’Brien is 47. Actor Eric McCormack is 47. Actress Maria Bello is 43. Actress Melissa Joan Hart is 34. Actress America Ferrera is 26.